The next morning Tommy was the first to wake. He shook his head to clear his sleepy eyes. He groaned at it was 8 AM. He had to be at work in an hour. Everyone was still out except Hayley who entered the lab. "How is she?"
"She woke up a few hours ago but we all need rest right now". Tommy answered looking down at his sister. She was curled into a ball as her head rested on his ribs.
"Well i better head out and open the Cyberspace. Tommy i might have called you in sick at school but its only one time only" Hayley told him with a grin as she left.
He slid out of the bed as quietly as he could without stepping on anyone. He walked up the steps to shower and eat. He felt kind of sad not being greeted with the lion he had come to love. He heard a scratching noise. "What the?"
Tommy walked out into the kitchen where the scratching and whining could be heard. He went out the back door and his eyes widened and what was sitting on the back deck. There sitting up was an all white husky puppy with a grey patch on one eye with one blue eye and one white. It was wearing a pink collar. Tommy looked around to see if it was lost or how it got there. He felt a slight breeze and looked into the distance.
"Moya". He whispered at the spirit in the distance. He knew it was from her at that moment.
"She may not be a lion but Young Cayleigh loved animals. This is a token". He heard her say in his head as she vanished. Tommy smiled at picked up the small dog.
"You tear up one pillow". He said to its face. The puppy licked his cheek and barked. "Come on girl".
Tommy walked down the steps to see everyone still out for the count. "Okay i am not waking up teenagers Cay is grouchy enough in the mornings when she is disturbed". He looked to see Kim stretching.
"Hey". She whispered with a smile. She got up and walked over to him. "Who's this?"
"She doesn't have a name but Moya left her on my back porch. I guess Moya knows like we all do how much Cay loves animals so this is a token." Tommy explained as Kim scratched the dogs ears. "Want to help me cook breakfast?"
They both turned around as everyone began to stir. "Morning". Kim said to everyone.
"Ryan for the record you snore". Kira groaned at the titanium ranger.
"Sorry" He grunted out wiping his eyes.
"You all snore!" A voice came from under the covers of the medical bed. They all watched as the body under the sheets moved.
"Cayleigh!" They all yelled jumping on the bed next to her.
"And i thought i didn't know my name" She grumbled under the sheets. She peeked her head out to see smiling faces surrounding her. "Food now!"
"Good morning to you to" Carter joked.
"She still is a grump in the mornings isn't she?" Kim whispered next to Tommy who nodded.
After the group hug was broken the puppy in Tommy's arms barked. He walked over and placed it in his sister's arms.
"Cayleigh she was on my back porch. Moya left her for you as a token." Tommy explained to his sister. "She knew how much you love animals and with Naya gone she thought this would help".
Cayleigh wiped her tears as she stared at the puppy in her arms. "Snow, her name will be Snow".
Kira giggled as she rubbed the dog's belly. "She is so cute".
"Now you three have school" Tommy told Kira, Conner and Ethan. "You can see her later because i am stealing her for the day".
"But first how about i make my famous chocolate chip waffles?" Ryan offered.
"Go now!" Cayleigh ordered him. He saluted and followed Tommy and Kim upstairs. Conner helped her out of the bed since she was still injured and weak.
Once they all gathered in the living room and kitchen. Kim decided to be brave and approach her. "Cay do you need any help?"
The two of them never had a good history. Cayleigh despised Kim for hurting her brother after he got the letter. To Kim's surpise Cayleigh smiled and nodded. Kim led her down to her room.
Cayleigh managed to shower. She groaned as she noticed the huge bruise on her ribs along with the cuts on her face. She walked out and sat on the edge of her bed. She put on a blue tank top wth white shorts. "Thank you".
Kim turned at her soft voice. She walked over and knelt in front of her. "Always. Listen i know we have had our differences and i hope we would try to be friends".
"Yeah i guess i could. Kim thank you for being here for Tommy with all of this. Seeing how happy he is around you again gives me hope". Cayleigh reached out and hugged Kim for the first time in awhile. "Come on lets eat before its all gone."
"Thank you for breakfast Ryan these were awesome" Kira told him with a smile.
"Yours my queen". He said with a bow handing Cayleigh a plateful of waffles. The three dino rangers left to head for school. Carter offered to give Kira a ride home since he had to go that way. "Well i better head home to. Cay you need anything you call alright?"
"I will thank you". She whispered in Ryan's ear as she gave him a hug. "So where are you taking me today?" She asked her brother as Ryan left ignoring the look that Kim was sending her way. Cay felt Kim didn't like him.
"I thought we could go home to Angel Grove for the day and then maybe go to the ruins, we haven't spent a day there together in awhile and we need it". Tommy told her.
"Sounds good to me" She told him putting her plate in the sink. "Man i could eat these everyday".
"Cay i am going to go see Jason then i will probably head home to". Kim informed her. "I will check in on you guys later".
Cayleigh smiled and walked out of the house. She hopped up onto the hood of her brother's jeep. She watched as the two of the adults walked out.
"Thank you for being here". Tommy said quietly.
"Your welcome. i hope someday we can get together maybe talk".
Tommy took her hand into his. "Kim believe me i want to, but with everything, with Mesogog i can't take that chance"
"Tommy we been there before, look just think about it" Kim told him. "I owe you the truth".
Tommy nodded. "How about tomorrow night?"
Kim smiled. "Its a date". Kim kissed his cheek. Cayleigh covered her eyes.
"Maybe its not the time to bring up Hunter and I" She mumbled.
"What was that?" Tommy questioned.
"Nothing". Cayleigh said quickly as she got into the jeep as Kim drove off.
Angel Grove...
Once the two Olivers made it to Angel Grove Tommy led her to her favorite spot. Tommy parked at the bottom of the cliff. "You alright?". He asked with worry as she was rubbing her ribs. She lifted her shirt showing him the huge bruise.
"Cayleigh why didn't you tell me it was this bad". Tommy scolded her. "Come on get on there is no way you are walking up that hill".
Cayleigh rolled her eyes but got onto his back. Once they got to the top Cayleigh sat down on a rock letting her legs dangle. "Gosh its been way to long."
"Yeah it has. I remember how much time we both spent here." Tommy spoke sitting next to her. "They don't blame you".
"What?"
"You think the rangers blame you for what happened and hurting them. But trust me they don't." He assured her.
"I just wish it didn't have to be this way". Cay choked out. "I lost Moya, i lost Naya and now i lost my powers. I'm sorry i let you down. I'm sorry i let Zordon down. Maybe coming back to Reefside was a bad idea. I shouldn't have come back"
"Now you listen to me. Cayleigh when you came back you mended my heart. You brought joy with the other rangers. Just because your not an ice ninja anymore doesn't change how strong you are. This gem" He grabbed her wrist. "This gem should prove to you that you still have a journey to finish. You also know deep down how proud Zordon would be of you if he was here".
"You think so?"
"I know so". He told her. "I also wanted to bring you here because i have something for you" He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black box. "Cay you remember when Ninjor met you?"
"Yeah".
"Well remember when you thought you lost this". He opened the box to reveal a silver chain with a snowflake pendant. "I remember Ninjor gave you this. I found it and kept it all these years in the ruins. When i heard you died i came back here to take it home but it was so damaged from the collapse i decided to get it fixed. I got a new chain and put your birthstone in it"
"Tommy.."
"I thought you should have it back." He put it around her neck. "You thought you lost it after a fight with a tenga. Rocky found it in a puddle".
"Thank you".
Tommy wrapped his arm around her. "Your going to be alright, but your staying home until those bruises heal".
"Does that mean I get breakfast in bed?"
He rolled his eyes helping her up. "In your dreams". She jumped on his back as he went down the hill. "Who's that?"
"Jason?" Tommy called as the red ranger turned around. "What are you doing here?"
Jason put his hands in his pockets. "I, Uh went to your house but no one was home. So i ran into Conner and he said you two came here. Kim told me what happened which is why i wanted to make sure Cay was alright".
Cay got off her brother's back. "I'm alright". She told him softly.
"Do you have time to talk?" Jason asked carefully.
"Sure".
"Look i will head into Angel Grove and meet you at the Juice Bar. Cay take it easy please". Tommy told her as he drove off.
"Take it easy?".
She sighed and lifted her shirt. Jason gasped at the huge bruise covered her ribs. He held out his arm. She linked hers around his right arm. He felt her shiver from the breeze. "Here". He pulled of his red oversized hooded sweater and slipped it over her head.
"I promise i'm okay". She assured him with a light smile.
"I'm sorry Cay, i wish i was there for you. If i could take back what i said i would".
She took his hands. "Listen to me. Jason i forgave you the moment you said them. It just hasn't been easy since coming back to Reefside. Now with Morbius still on the loose it makes it harder".
"You'll get him i know you will". He assured her. He stopped when she tugged his arm."What is it?"
"Jase i know you would be honest with me about anything but is there a reason Kim is suddenly back around Tommy. Is she in Reefside for a reason?"
He sighed. "Yeah Kim got accepted as the new gymnastics coach at the school."
"Oh. Is that all?" She tried to read him. "Jason?"
"Cayleigh She wants to tell Tommy the truth as to why she sent the letter, now i know its been years but she needs to tell him and you". Jason finally revealed as they walked into the juicebar.
"I don't care why. she is back but if she hurts Tommy again i swear it will be her last." She told him. "I will not watch his heart shatter again. I may have been a kid at the time but i helped him pick up the pieces"
"I know just try and be patient" Jason pleaded as he led her inside. She smiled in comfort as she felt at home. She looked to see kids laughing and playing the games. Her brother was sparring with Adam.
She grinned as Adam threw Tommy over his shoulder and onto his back. Cayleigh knew by now that all of the rangers who knew her knew that she was alive. "Go Adam!" She cheered as she walked over.
"Traitor" Tommy grumbled as Adam helped him up. Adam smiled hugging the girl tight. The three joined Jason at a table.
"Cay you alright?" Jason asked noticing she was rubbing her side.
"Sorry just sore" She replied sipping on her smoothie.
"Look we should head home, you need the rest" Tommy told them standing up.
"Okay, Adam is was great to see you" Cay told him kissing his cheek. Tommy led her outside and helped her into his jeep.
Once Tommy got them home Cayleigh went to change and joined him on the couch. "Tommy i need to ask you something"
"Sure anything"
She sighed as she wrapped her blanket around her. "Tommy are you okay with Kim being here?
"Honestly i don't know. I know she wants to tell us the truth but i also know you told her you would try".
"Tommy i only said that because of what happened to me. I want nothing to do with her plus something tells me she doesn't like Ryan either"
Tommy stood up. "So you said you would try to be friends but you lied to her"
Cayleigh narrowed her eyes at her brother's tone. "Are you seriously angry with me right now?"
Tommy looked away.
"Tommy? okay really?! You know how much i hate her for what she did to you! what she did to me!"
"Cayleigh its in the past!" He yelled back. "But your pretty good at lying aren't you!?"
"I-"
He waved her off. "No don't for once in your life Cay can't you just leave the past in the past! stop lying your way out of things!" He watched as she stepped back. "First you lie to everyone about your death, and then you make Hunter lie for you, yeah that's right i spoke to Hunter when i got your stuff when you came back. He lied to my face when i spoke to him after your "Death" six months ago but he knew you were alive didn't he?"
She bowed her head. "Yes he did." She spoke so low Tommy could barely hear her.
"Now you lie to Kim, where is the sister i used to know? the one who always was honest with us? because i don't see her in the girl standing in front of me". His voice low as he spoke.
Cayleigh had no words to speak as she met his broken eyes. But deep down she knew he was right. She looked down at the gem on her wrist. "Here if i am not the sister you knew then i am not the person you need on this team" She told him slipping the silver bracelet off of her wrist. "I'm sorry" She stuttered out walking down the hallway.
Tommy winced as she slammed the door to her room. "Nice going Tommy" He growled to himself slapping his forehead.
After an hour Tommy came back to the house with a pizza and dessert. He noticed his sister on the couch.
Cayleigh looked up from her laptop and shut it. "Kira emailed me my homework" She told him not meeting his gaze.
Tommy laid the food on the table and shrugged his jacket off silently begging her to look at him. He watched as she got up and walked down to her room.
Tommy stayed in the kitchen and began to grade papers. He stayed there until 11 PM. He silently popped his head into his sister's room noticing she was asleep. Tommy closed her door and went to his own room to sleep.
